Dear Parents,﻿You child's safety is important to us. Here are just a few of the measures we've implemented to protect students at-risk for anaphylaxis.

Annual food allergy training, including how to recognize and treat signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, is provided to all staff members.Student allergy information is entered into Skyward as a "critical alert" for immediate recognition by teachers, administrators, Child Nutrition and Transportation.Food consumption is not permitted on regular school bus routes. Drivers are trained to recognize symptoms and call 911 in case of anaphylaxis.Students are eligible (through the 504 Program) for special transportation services with a bus monitor who can carry and administer epinephrine.Child Nutrition employees are trained to avoid cross-contamination while preparing and serving food.Teachers will notify parents one week in advance of any food that will be tasted or consumed as part of the curriculum or during field trips, class parties or school-wide events (field days, etc.).Parents of students with food allergies are encouraged to participate in planning class and school-wide events involving food.Elementary schools have a "No Food Sharing" policy in effect.Bullying is not tolerated, including bullying related to food allergies.Parents of students with nut allergies can request a nut-free classroom. The principal will notify parents that all snacks in that classroom must be nut-free.Cafeteria seating is designed to be inclusive. One end of the classroom table in the cafeteria is designated as a "nut-free zone."Students in nut-free classrooms will wash their hands before and after lunch.The school nurse will work with parents to develop and update an individualized health plan for the student.The school nurse will scan the student's Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan and Individualized Health Plan (IHP) into Skyward for immediate access by teachers and staff.Parents will provide all of the student's medications.The school nurse will pack the student's Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan and medications for field trips.Food prepared and served by Child Nutrition Services in elementary schools is nut-free.Child Nutrition employees have access to each student's food allergy information and monitor their food selections.Teachers will keep copies of students' Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plans in their sub folders.Annual food allergy training, including how to recognize and treat the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, is provided to all substitute teachers.

REMEMBER: Parents must provide an Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (click the button above) that has been completed and signed by the student's personal physician prior to the beginning of every school year. Please call me to make an appointment to bring your child's medications and forms to my office BEFORE the first day of school (512-732-9185 direct line). If you wait until the first day of school, you may have to wait in a long line.

TIME-SAVING TIPS: All medication must be unexpired and in its original container with dosing instructions, so don't bring pills in Ziplock bags or blister packs. Pharmacy labels are required for prescription drugs; a duplicate label can be obtained from your pharmacist if you have discarded it. Epi-Pens must be provided in 2-packs because a second dose may be required before EMS arrives. Antihistamines must be provided exactly as prescribed on the emergency care plan--the type of antihistamine (liquid, chewable, etc.) has to match. Spacers are required for asthma inhalers.

HEY KIDS!One of our students, Isaac Yenca, created a video book called, "All About Food Allergies." It is AWESOME. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!